Firstly, I really don't have anything against pipe-wrenches per-se. They are bulky and unbalanced for the angle that Kando needs to get at the stripped drain plug though. He's tried a pipe-wrench without success.
Secondly, you yourself (in self-confessed boredom) have demonstrated that a vise-grip or a Knipex should 'do the job'. Both of those more 'modern' tools lock onto the rounded surface and are lighter and a heck of a lot less bulkier when it comes to manoeuvring it into position.
I, myself, don't own a pipe-wrench as my set of Aussie "Best-grip" perform the same function... plus I can use them in a number of different situations including a ratcheting motion without having the readjust the jaw.
